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STDs are a big issue today, you should know that anyone can get them, it doesn’t matter your race, age, sexuality or even religion you are at risk for getting an STD. Make sure you always ask a person if they have an STD before you begin to be sexually active with the person. A person does not have to tell you if they have an STD, so make sure you and your partner get tested together. On the other hand if you have the HIV virus and you plan on being sexually active it is the law to tell your partner before engaging in any kind of sexual intercourse or you can get charged with criminal transmission of HIV.

So you may have heard of the Usher scandal recently. Usher was accused of passing on herpes to a women who claimed she tested positive for herpes after a sexual encounter with the R&B singer Usher. The women that chooses to stay anonymous, filed her own lawsuit and is suing Usher for $20 million. So you may ask why bring up the Usher situation? Well this situation is a perfect example on as to why you should consider asking your partner about their sexual status before having any sexual contact with them. And if your partner doesn’t want to disclose that information with you (keep in mind your partner doesn’t have to tell you) then I’m sorry to say it wasn’t mean’t to be. So remember always ask because everyone should have the right to know!

How does safer sex help protect me from STDs?

STDs are infections that are passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Anybody who has oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or genital skin-to-skin contact with another person can get STDs. Safer sex (often called “safe sex”) means taking steps to protect yourself and your partner from STDs when you have sex.

There are lots of ways you can make sex safer. One of the best ways is by using a barrier — like condoms, female condoms, and/or dental dams — every single time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Barriers cover parts of your genitals, protecting you and your partner from body fluids and some skin-to-skin contact, which can both spread STDs.

Getting tested for STDs regularly is also part of safer sex, even if you always use condoms and feel totally fine. Most people with STDs don’t have symptoms or know they’re infected, and they can easily pass the infection to their partners. So testing is the only way to know for sure whether or not someone has an STD.